Das Neue Leipziger Barockensemble (The New Leipzig Baroque Ensemble = NLBE) was founded in 1987 by students of the Leipziger Hochschule für Musik as Leipziger Barockensemble, then still with modern instruments. Among the mentors of this experimental group were Professor Christine Schornsheim, Stephan Mai (Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin) and Nicholas Parle.

The musicians of the founding members are now playing in orchestras such as the Dresden Staatskapelle, Staatskapelle Halle/Saale, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig or have held a professorship. The growing experience with Baroque music led to a reorientation and expansion of the ensemble. The consistent use of historical instruments in authentic performance practice the extension led to renaming the group as Neues Leipziger Barockensemble (New Leipzig Baroque Ensemble).

The goal of the ensemble is to provide a broad musical repertoire in authentic performance from the music of the 16th Century perform to the Early Classic. Graduates of local universities play in the ensemble together with experienced musicians from Central Germany. As a longtime partner of the Leipziger Oratorienchor the NLBE is pleased to be able to accompany the choir during the festive year of its 20-year anniversary.